4.3 Unit Assignment: Reflection Journal

Unit Four Introduction With the story of Genesis, we have been given a solid foundation from which our ethos will develop. We have seen God as Creator of all things, establishing identity and order for how things should be (existence). We have seen Him as Triune Communion (Father, Son, Spirit), as transcendent over creation (sovereign) and as immanent within creation (relational). We have seen the special role and relationship offered to humanity and, subsequently, humanity’s rebellion against God’s order (the fall). Finally, we have seen God’s gracious offer of continued relationship and redemption (covenant). All of this has been seen narratively through the stories of Genesis. We leave Genesis with the covenant people of Yahweh (the children of Israel) being rescued providentially from famine and residing in Egypt, outside the land of promise. Exodus will give us some of the most vital aspects of the story of God’s redemptive relationship with humanity. The story will narrow its focus onto one man, Moses, and one generation of the children of Israel – the last generation of 400 years of slaves. Much of the covenant promise made with Abraham has been lost, stripped away by the indignity and degradation of slavery. But God has not abandoned His people or His promises. His plan of redemption has been kept alive through the stories passed down from generation to generation. He has heard the cries of His covenant people and in His love and mercy He sets in motion a story of liberation to rival all human stories. Exodus, like no other book, shows us the struggle for identity – both the identity of God in the earth and the identity of His people. This story in so many ways IS our story. Will we submit to His plan to rename us after we have rebelled against Him, or will we seek to establish our own name (like those at Babel)? If we will surrender to Him, we have the hope of a new name written down in the Book of Life. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.1 Text/Media Textbook: Interpreting Biblical Texts: The Pentateuch Textbook: The Creative Word: Canon as a Model for Biblical Education Instructions Read Interpreting Biblical Texts: The Pentateuch, Chapter 4. Read The Creative Word: Canon as a Model for Biblical Education, Chapter 4. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.3 Unit Assignment: Reflection Journal Introduction This week, you will be required to submit a Reflection Journal. In this journal, you should discuss the most important concepts that you learn throughout the week and how those concepts can be applied to your personal life and ministry. Your weekly journal should exhibit critical reflection of your own understanding of biblical truth. The Journal should be more than a casual discussion and should provide adequate integration of the various materials assigned for reading and viewing throughout the week. Instructions 1.Develop your weekly Reflection Journal. 2.Discuss the most important concepts you have learned this week and how they can be applied to your personal life and ministry. 3.Exhibit a critical reflection of your understanding of Biblical truth. 4.Provide adequate integration of this week’s reading materials. 5.Submit the Journal in Word format.